Rochester mayor signs on to coalition committed to global climate action

Rochester Mayor Kim Norton has joined more than a thousand local leaders, businesses, universities, and others in committing to a ‘national mobilization’ to combat global climate change.

The ‘America Is All In’ pledge was announced on Tuesday, the fifth anniversary of the signing of the Paris Agreement.

“As we look to recover from the dual public health and economic crises brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, we also look to the looming threat of the climate crisis,” Norton said in a statement. “This is an important moment to foster innovation, increase national security, and protect the health and well-being of present and future generations. In our commitment to addressing the climate crisis, we are all in and welcome the opportunity to do our part to achieve these goals and push for bold climate action across the United States.”   

The statement of affirmation has been delivered to the incoming Biden-Harris administration, as well as to the United Nations and global heads of state at the Climate Ambition Summit hosted by the United Kingdom.

While the U.S. exited the agreement under President Trump, President-elect Biden has said he plans to rejoin the global climate accord.

You can view the statement and signatories at AmericaIsAllIn.com. 

The City of Rochester, by the way, has previously set its own goal of transitioning to 100 percent renewable energy by 2030. The pledge was made under the watch of Norton’s predecessor, Mayor Ardell Brede.

Cover photo: Mayor Norton in 2018 / William Forsman